Elche welcomed Granada to the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on Saturday looking to record their fourth consecutive win in La Liga.
It was the away side that led at the interval, however, courtesy of a header from Manuel Iturra after 26 minutes.
Elche forced the issue for large spells of the second period, but could not make the breakthrough, with Granada holding on for a vital three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our penultimate live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero as Elche welcome Granada. As mentioned, the home side currently sit in 10th position following a run of three straight wins in the league. However, it has been far from plain sailing for Granada, who have won just one of their last five matches.
Two of Elche’s three wins this season have been on the road. They have found it more difficult on their own patch, but they have lost just one of their four games in this stadium. Granada, meanwhile, have also performed better on their travels, with one win, two draws and just the one defeat from their four games on the road.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, each of the last five matches have ended in draws. What’s more, four of those matches have been goalless draws. As mentioned, the last time the two sides met in this stadium was in a Segunda Division clash in June 2011, when the points were shared in a 1-1 draw.
TEAMS:
ELCHE: Herrera; Damian, Lomban, Botia, Mantecon; Marquez, Perez, Carles; Del Moral, Fidel, Coro
GRANADA: Roberto; Nyom, Rico, Mainz, Murillo; Brahimi, Recio, Iturra, Foulquier; Pereira, Ighalo
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Elche XI this evening with Manu del Moral leading their line with support from Coro and Carles Gil. There are also starts for Ruben Perez and Alberto Botia. Granada, meanwhile, hand Ighalo a lone role in attack. Diego Buonanotte, however, is named on the bench. Right, the away side get the action underway on this warm evening in Spain.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening with the home supporters turning up in their numbers. Elche, as mentioned, have won their last three in the league. It has been a bright start from the home side, with Javi Marquez and Perez seeing plenty of the ball in midfield.
The first half-chance of the match comes to the home side as Coro drives a low cross towards Gil, but the Spaniard just could not make contact under pressure from Mainz. Strange moment seconds later as the floodlights go out, but the action is soon resumed. It has not stopped the constant flow of Elche traffic in the opening four minutes.
The referee has been more involved than he would like in the last couple of moments with the challenges flying in from both sides. No real respite for Granada at the moment as Elche continue to force the issue in the final third. However, a free kick just outside the Elche box presents a half-chance to the away side.
The set piece is wasted as Fran Rico's effort is straight into the wall. Poor delivery from the Spaniard. Elche attempt to break down the other end with Manu del Moral, but the on-loan Sevilla forward asks too much from Fidel. Plenty of attacking intent from both sides in the opening eight minutes of football.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the match, but Granada have started to warm to the task with the likes of Iturra and Foulquier seeing more of the ball inside the Elche half. The latter attempts to force the issue with a low cross into the home side's box, but Herrera comes out to collect under pressure from Ighalo.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to take the lead as Rico collects possession outside the box before attempting to find the top corner, but it just deflects off Lomban before moving high of the crossbar. The resulting corner is delivered towards Mainz, but Botia manages to clear the danger.
Neither side is too interested in defending at the moment as each continues to commit bodies in the final third. Another half-chance arrives for Elche moments later as Gil is bought down by Iturra, but the resulting free kick is headed clear by Nyom. Still goalless with 15 minutes on the clock in this La Liga encounter.
Another half-chance for Granada to test Elche from a free kick, but once more the delivery from Rico is short of the desired quality at this level of football. The home supporters continue to create a strong atmosphere inside the stadium, but Granada are currently on top. It is the type of match where the first goal could be vital.
It's good work from Manu del Moral as the Elche forward bursts down the right before delivering a low cross into the box, but the danger is cleared at the vital moment by Mainz. The referee continues to become involved in the middle of the park, meanwhile, with the challenges arriving from both teams. Not too much to report in terms of chances with 20 minutes on the clock. However, both continue to force the issue in the final third.
Elche continue to stretch the Granada defence as Fidel slides a pass towards Manu del Moral, but Mainz manages to clear at the vital moment. Fidel is down the left in the next attack, but his low cross is into the arms of the goalkeeper. That is about as good as it has been for Elche in the opening 22 minutes this evening.
Really untidy in the middle of the park at the moment with neither side able to keep possession for an extended period of time. Granada attempt to force the issue as Nyom delivers a low cross into the box, but Herrera is on hand to collect. End-to-end football, but clear chances have been few and far between thus far.
GOAL! Elche 0-1 Granada (Iturra)
Granada take the lead with 26 minutes on the clock, but it is a real horror moment for Herrera. Rico's whipped cross into the box is met by the head of Iturra, whose effort slides through the fingers of Herrera in the Elche goal. Not a moment that the Spaniard will want to remember.
CHANCE! Glorious chance for Granada to add their second as Ighalo drives into the box before sliding a low cross towards Recio, but Suarez just manages to clear at the vital moment. The home side's defence is all over the place at the moment.
Elche are really struggling to keep the ball at the moment with Granada forcing the issue in the final third. The pace of Pereira and Foulquier is certainly providing the away side with a different option this evening. However, the home supporters remain in good voice with 31 minutes on the clock.
Better from Elche in the last couple of moments with Coro and Fidel twice delivering dangerous crosses into the Granada box, but Roberto has been comfortable in gathering the danger thus far. You just get the feeling that Elche need to score next if they are to take something from the match, but Granada are such a threat on the counter.
Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining with Granada still leading courtesy of that header from Iturra. Herrera has been impressive for Elche this season, but he had a real horror moment for the opener. The home side continue to pass and probe outside the Granada box, but there is no way through at the moment.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with the challenges flying in from both sides, which is creating a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium. Elche have certainly gained a period of control since Granada scored, but no real chances have arrived despite a number of corners and pressure in advanced areas.
Half-chance for Granada as Rico collects possession outside the box before attempting to find the head of Ighalo inside the box, but his cross was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Slight change in formation in the last couple of moments for the home side, with Manu playing closer to Gil. The former has an effort from outside the box, but it moves wide of the post.
Handbags between both sets of players as Rico gets involved in a challenge outside the Elche box, with the referee forced to intervene. No yellow card is awarded, but it was a really poor challenge from the Granada midfielder on Perez. Little over two minutes of football remaining in the frist period.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but Elche continue to force the issue in the final third. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this one. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the first period.
CHANCE! Golden chance for Elche in the latter stages of the half as Manu is found by Coro inside the box, but the on-loan Sevilla striker can only fire his effort high and wide of the crossbar. How has he managed that?!
HALF-TIME: Elche 0-1 Granada
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Granada leading courtesy of a header from Iturra after 26 minutes. Elche have since responded, but have been unable to make the breakthrough. It is so delicately poised ahead of the second period at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.
STATISTICS: Granada have just about shaded the possession with 52%, but both sides have had two attempts. That said, both of Granada's attempts have been on target, while the home side are yet to test the opposing goalkeeper. However, I have a feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this evening.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Richmond Boakye, Aaron Niguez and Tono. Meanwhile, Granada have the likes of Buonanotte, El-Arabi and Riki in reserve. Still no Piti for Granada, however, with the former Rayo Vallecano striker on the sidelines.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that Elche had won three on the spin entering this match, but as it stands, their winning run will come to an end this evening. The home side get the second period underway on this mild evening in Spain. Let's hope for goals.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if we indeed have one - could be vital in this type of match. Recio attempts to force the issue for the away side with a low pass towards Ighalo, but Herrera is out to clear at the vital moment.
Good pressure from Granada in the early stages of the second period as Rico delivers a deep corner into the Elche box, but Suarez manages to clear the danger at the vital moment. The pressure continues as the away side pass and probe in the final third, but eventually the move breaks down. Laboured start to the half from Elche.
Manu del Moral attempts to force the issue for the home side as he combines with Perez outside the box before poking it towards Coro, but Mainz is across to clear at the vital moment. Both managers have sent subs to warm up, although it might still be too early to think about changes. Not too much in terms of chances in the second period thus far.
Penalty appeal from the home side as Gil goes down inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Granada are down the other end moments later, but Brahimi's effort curls wide of the post. End-to-end football in the last couple of moments, but still just the one goal between the two La Liga rivals.
Brahimi again threatens for Granada as he dances his way into the Elche box before finding Pereira outside the box, but Perez is on hand to make a fine block at the vital moment. Elche make their first change of the match moments later as Boakye replaces Fidel, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Gil finds some space outside the box before attempting to curl one into the far corner, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Much better intensity from Elche, but they are being restricted to very little in the final third. Granada, meanwhile, have just started to drop deeper in the last five minutes or so.
One-way traffic with 62 minutes on the clock as Elche continue to deliver dangerous balls into the Granada box, but the likes of Mainz and Nyom have been impressive thus far. It would not be a surprise to see Lucas Alcaraz freshen up his midfield in the next few moments. The Granada boss has also sent Riki to warm-up.
Granada force another corner as Foulquier evades two challenges before playing it off Botia down the right. The resulting set piece is delivered right under the crossbar, but Herrera manges to clear. Boakye launches a counter down the other end, but Suarez's eventual effort is deflected out of play for an Elche corner.
Another half-chance for the away side as Pereira strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match, despite the lack of clear chances. It does appear that Granada are preparing to make another change as we approach the final 20 minutes of football.
CHANCE! It's brilliant work from Boakye as the Elche forward drives down the left before finding Marquez on the edge of the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. The opportunities are starting to arrive as the match opens up. Still 1-0 to Granada with 69 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Opportunity for Granada to extend their lead as Brahimi collects a loose ball inside the box before attempting to curl one into the bottom corner, but Herrera is across to make a fine save. Neither side is too interested in defending at the moment as both continues to force the issue.
Another half-chance for the home side as Boakye finds Coro inside the box, but the Elche forward cannot make proper contact under pressure from Mainz. Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with the referee stopping play due to a number of late challenges. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining in this La Liga encounter.
CHANCE! Almost a stunning goal from Suarez as the Elche defender spots Roberto off his line, but the Granada stopper just manages to back-track before punching clear. The home side are getting closer. Meanwhile, both sides make changes. Riki enters in place of Ighalo for Granada, while Sanchez replaces Perez for the home side.
One-way traffic in the last couple of moments as the home side continue to commit bodies in the final third, but they just cannot find that elusive pass. Granada counter moments later - forcing a free kick in the process - but Rico's effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
Little over 10 minutes of football remaining this evening, with Granada still leading courtesy of that Iturra header in the first period. The away side look to their bench once more as Angulo replaces Pereira, who has just tired in the last 15 minutes or so. Is there to be late drama this evening?
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Granada comfortable in possession of the ball. Another change for Elche moments later as Aaron Niguez replaces Marquez. You just get the feeling that chances will arrive in the final 10 minutes of this match. The home supporters continue to back their side in the latter stages.
Elche continue to pass and probe outside the Granada box, but they just cannot find that elusive pass in the final third. In truth, they have almost ran out of ideas as the away side continue to deal with each long cross into the box. Little over five minutes of normal time remaining.
Granada make their third and final change of the evening as Brahimi is replaced by Coeff. A counter for the away side almost brings a half-chance for Recio, but the Spaniard loses possession at the vital moment. Is there to be late drama here? All it takes is one second to score a goal.
Something has happened between Nyom and some of the Elche supporters, but at the moment, the exact nature of the incident is unclear. I suspect the fall-out will be revealed after the match. Let's hope that the incident is dealt with. We are into the 90th minute here, with Granada still leading.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes of added time and we are indeed into the second of those. Elche continue to pepper the Granada box with a series of long balls, but the away side are comfortable in dealing with the danger.
It is a case of 'anywhere will do' for Granada as the away side continue to clear the danger. A half-chance arrives for the home side as Murillo loses his footing at the vital moment, but Boakye cannot make proper contact. Little over one minute of stoppage time remaining.
There seems to be a problem for Boakye here, with suggestions that the Granada striker might have been knocked out cold following a challenge with Herrera. He is being carried off the field on a stretcher. Not a good moment.
FULL-TIME: Elche 0-1 Granada
So there we have it. Granada collect all three points with a 1-0 win over Elche. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Levante against Espanyol. Until then!
